Scott Harmsen | Kalamazoo GazetteKalamazoo College is planning a $16-million project to reconfigure and upgrades its athletics fields.

KALAMAZOO — Kalamazoo College can begin a $16 million redevelopment of its athletic fields now that it has received approval for zoning variances.

The Kalamazoo Zoning Board of Appeals on identical 4-1 votes, with one member abstaining, approved a use variance allowing the college to construct a new field house and expand the press box, concessions and restrooms, as well as a variance for a new parking lot.

The ZBA in January had rejected a request by the college for a variance for the project, with a sticking point among some board members an assertion that college should instead have sought a rezoning before the Planning Commission.

Also, numerous residents of the West Main Hill neighborhood, which abuts the athletic fields, expressed concerns to the board about the college’s plan to add stadium lighting and the possible effects on their property values.

K-College’s request Thursday did not include stadium lighting, although college officials said they still plan to pursue approval for lights in the future.

About 100 people attended Thursday’s meeting, which wrapped up at about midnight.

About two dozen people addressed the zoning board.

Many said they still had concerns about K-College requesting zoning variances rather than going through the rezoning process before the Planning Commission and, eventually, the City Commission, and the potential for setting a precedent.

Some also expressed concerns about parking and other impacts on the surrounding neighbors of the upgraded athletic fields.

Not part of Thursday’s request but still in the college’s renovation plans is repositioning the soccer, baseball and softball fields.

The Kalamazoo city attorney’s office advised the college that its request does not need to include reconfiguration of fields

The college hopes to start the athletic fields redevelopment this spring and have it completed by fall 2012.